The bill seeks to amend "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" by providing direct state funding for various educational programs and expenses. It defines "extraordinary" special education costs as those exceeding four times the core foundation amount and requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to prorate funds if necessary. The bill also addresses funding for career and technical education, pre-kindergarten, transportation costs, and additional support for English learners, applying a fifteen percent EL factor to the core-instruction per-pupil amount. It includes insertions to the existing law, such as the requirement for public schools to employ at least one full-time social worker per 250 students, but does not specify the exact deletions made.

The bill also includes a financial provision that requires the general assembly to appropriate an additional two million dollars for the fiscal year 2025 to assist school districts or municipalities in hiring additional social workers. The term "social worker" is defined within the bill as someone holding a valid professional certificate in school social work issued by the state department of education. The act is intended to take effect immediately upon passage, ensuring that the changes will be implemented without delay once the bill becomes law.

Statutes affected:
2597: 16-7.2-6